Diego Costa

The 25-year-old has a £32m release clause in his contract with Atlético Madrid but the fact that several top clubs may be willing to activate it means that Arsenal may have to fork out considerably more to get him. But he comes with a virtual guarantee of goals, having already struck 19 in 17 matches in La Liga this season. In addition to his technique, mobility and predatory skills, the forward offers huge determination and dynamism that make him an effectve one-man frontline and a firm fans' favourite even if his aggression has been known to spill over into senselessness.

Mario Mandzukic

Bayern Munich may listen to offers for Mario Mandzukic with Robert Lewandowski due to join in the summer. Photograph: Chakir Dahmani/Chakir Dahmani/Actionplus

The Croatian's importance to Bayern Munich will diminish when Robert Lewandowski arrives in the summer, which is when he is most likely to move. However, Arsenal could seek to prise the 27-year-old away this month, attracted by his excellence as a targetman. He is powerful in the air, nimble on the ground and efficient in front of goal.

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov is reportedly unhappy at Fulham and would provide a stopgap solution to Arsenal's attacking problems. Photograph: Phil Noble/REUTERS

The Bulgarian striker possesses the intelligence and technique to fit in at Arsenal and might be able to summon more dynamism for such a challenge than for a relegation fight with Fulham. The 32-year-old would have the advantage of being eligible for the Champions League and is much cheaper than younger, more coveted alternatives, making him an enticing stopgap solution for the remainder of the season.

Javier Hernández

A fox in the box par excellence, this supreme poacher would thrive on the chances that Arsenal create. He is neither a Theo Walcott nor an Olivier Giroud but is closer to the former in that he is best as a centre-forward when running behind defences rather than playing with his back to them, much more a finisher than a fulcrum. Whether Manchester United would let the 25-year-old go at a time when Robin van Persie is injured and Wayne Rooney continues to suffer with a troublesome groin probably depends on United's ability to recruit in January. And whether they would let him go to Arsenal probably depends on whether they themselves have given up on the Premier League title this season.

Fernando Llorente

Fernando Llorente only signed for Juventus in the summer and struggled at first to adapt to life in Italy. Photograph: Imago / Barcroft Media Imago / Barcroft Media/Imago / Barcroft Media

Juventus have all but wrapped up the Serie A title already and are out of the Champions League so they could be persuaded to tolerate a disruption to their squad this month and relinquish a striker whom they only signed in the summer. Llorente has scored 5 goals in 11 Serie A matches and, after initially struggling to adapt, he has started to find his feet but is believed to be amenable to a move to England. Tall, strong and tricky, the 28-year-old Spaniard is a formidable targetman.